Need help with Venice, getting sandwiched!

[S4ndyMan]

Need advice on Venice. Things was running smoothly until
-Milan and HRE allied
-Milan allied with Papal states
-Milan declared war on me
-HRE allied with Papal States (???)
-HRE declared war on me
-Mongols declared war on me (but havent done anything except blockade a port)

Milan has 4 regions
-Dijon
-Genoa
-Milan
-Bern

After this happened I allied with France, hoping they will help me in the war with HRE and Milan. Soon after, the Pope died (yay) and my cardinal was elected Pope. So my relations with the Pope is Perfect, Papal States relations with HRE and Milan is 5 crosses (i think its The pope has no ill will against ....) But I still wont be able to attack milan and hre without making him mad because milan and hre is still his allies.
The Byzantine Empire is out of the way just destroyed them, it seems that as soon as I did Milan was waiting to attack me. So I cant attack them (Milan and HRE) without upsetting the Pope. I should be able to take them all with my current military force.

Should I just ignore the Pope and attack Milan anyway?
Should I help to defend Toulouse to keep good relations with France or did I make a huge mistake in making an alliance with them?

[Silverheart]

If you have a potent military force, I think you should ignore the popes´ alliance with Milan And HRE - after all, YOU have better relations with him than them for the moment, and not taking advantage of that would be a waste.
Attack Milan swiftly and efficciently - take Milan and/or Genoa and take down some of their larger armies, and be sure to do it WITH HASTE. Since the pope is their ally, he will most likely send a mission to you (ordering you to cease hostilities), so you have to weaken them as fast and as effectively as possible.
When he do order you to cease hostilities, obey - you will (hopefully) have fulfilled your purpose already.
You may want to do the same with HRE, and try to conquer their Alpine regions. If you can maintain control of the Alps, you can easily hold off any of the northern nations.

Try to keep your alliance with France - they have a central position (offering many enemies) and are not likely to betray you if you maintain good relations with them. So help them at Toulouse if you can, just be careful not to get dragged into too many wars that you do not want - try to maintain your relations with them by offering gifts and provoking those you already are at war with.

[Silverheart]

Did that answer your question, or was there something I forgot?

[S4ndyMan]

Thanks alot. You answered my question. Ill go attack milan now.

[Silverheart]

I´m just glad to have helped ^::^
good luck with the invasion.

[avion365]

make sure you use artillery, the pope usually gives the mission the next turn, if you use it you can take it in one turn if you position your armies right

[homefry]

This game is called Total War.

If they disrespect you, you gotta take 'em out.

[emanb56]

im doing a venice campaign right now and im at turn 60
ive destroyed the byz empire and now im at war with hungary and hre
ignore what the pope says and get as much land as possible..if he excommunicates u it doesnt matter bc he will die soon and ull be reconciled
protect and develop venice and zagreb.. they make a ton of money and will be key
pump out venetian heavy infantry and your set

[Rakoua]

I find Venice the easiest faction honestly, since I have my conquest order that's extremly effective. I do assume that you did not blitz Milan early on (Turn 5 or so to declare war, before they even have a chance to get some rebel teritory). So do it now! Take all of northern Italy. Ignore the Pope. GIve him some cash though when you're at 6 crosses.Then just invade HRE. Should be easy enough from there. And remember to fight every battle.

[emanb56]

i have blitzed milan early in another campaign but i wanted to try a different path this time and not fight italians for as long as possible